SL vs IND Warm-up: Indian bowlers made to work as Manav Suthar leads Day 1 fightback
India recovered impressively after a frustrating opening session to reduce the Sri Lanka Cricket XI to 358/8 at stumps on Day 1 of the warm-up
India recovered impressively after a frustrating opening session to reduce the Sri Lanka Cricket XI to 358/8 at stumps on Day 1 of the warm-up match in Colombo, with left-arm spinner Manav Suthar emerging as the biggest positive ahead of the opening Test. The visitors struggled for rhythm on a placid surface before their spinners, led by Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, wrestled back control in the final two sessions. Read Full Story The day, however, began with a scare for India after captain Shubman Gill suffered a blow to his right ring finger during training and did not take the field. Vice-captain KL Rahul led the side as Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat, a decision vindicated by a batting-friendly pitch that offered very little assistance to the seamers early on. India's pace attack found little joy with the new ball as Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha dominated the opening session. The pair added 110 runs for the first wicket, scoring freely against Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who struggled to maintain consistent lengths. Madushka was particularly aggressive, striking 66 off 65 balls before India's only breakthrough before lunch came through a run-out following a mi up between the two openers. SL XI vs IND Day 1 Warm-up: Highlights Rasantha continued to anchor the innings after the interval, while Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha and Ramesh Mendis all made useful contributions as Sri Lanka XI continued to score at a healthy rate.
India, though, gradually clawed their way back into the contest. Jadeja broke the second-wicket stand before Suthar dismissed the well-set Rasantha. Kuldeep then struck twice in the final session, while Gurnoor Brar and Jadeja chipped in with wickets to ensure India finished the day on a far stronger note than the opening session had suggested. SUTHAR MAKES HIS CASE If one player enhanced his credentials ahead of the opening Test, it was Manav Suthar. The left-arm spinner looked India's most disciplined bowler on a surface that demanded patience. After a slightly tentative start, Suthar settled into an impressive rhythm, repeatedly hitting probing lengths while making intelligent use of flight and subtle changes in pace. Manav Suthar was India's best bowler on Day 1. (Image: X/@BCCI) His biggest breakthrough came when he deceived Ravindu Rasantha in flight. The well-set opener advanced down the track but failed to get to the pitch of the ball, skewing a simple catch after compiling a composed 71. Suthar later trapped Sonal Dinusha lbw for 52 after India opted for the second new ball, denying the left-hander a bigger score. While others searched for magic deliveries, Suthar remained committed to his plans. His control over line and length stood out throughout the day, making him arguably India's biggest positive from the opening day's play and strengthening his case ahead of the Test series.
The BriefWire